Euro 2004 play-offs

[swampster]

gonna have a few sneaky scorer bets too:

first scorer: Boulykin @ 11.00, to score any time @ 3.75

scorecasts:
Boulykin 3-1 @ 91.00
Boulykin 4-1 @ 176.00

Sychev & 3-1 @ 41.00
Sychev & 4-1 @ 81.00

Hartson & Russia 2-1 @ 81.00
Hartson & Russia 3-1 @ 131.00
Hartson & Russia 4-1 @ 261.00

Giggs & Russia 2-1 @ 106.00
Giggs & Russia 3-1 @ 176.00
Giggs & Russia 4-1 @ 351.00
(all from Bet365)

Russia's last 4 home games produced at least 4 goals a game, with the away team scoring first in the last 2. Wales leaked goals away against Italy and Serbia, and they're even weaker in defence this weekend.

Boulykin has scored in Russia's last 2 games.

[Matt]

Russia look absoltely terrific at 8/13, Coral are making a big mistake BTW if any of you can get to a shop Corals still have 4/6 on coupon.

Russia are absolute machines at home and its very hard to see Wales defence and midfield coping with Titov, Mostovoi, Karpin, Sytchev and Bulykin.

3-0 IMO.

[edtkh]

I'm not as optimistic as you guys are about Russia - if anything, Croatia(which is already as inconsistent a side as you could find) would definitely make a much better bet than Russia IMO. :p

I wouldn't even touch the Russians at 8/11, nevermind anything less - their results may have been impressive at home but their performances have not been all that impressive if truth be told. Let's face it, they're no world beaters and if they were anything decent, they should have taken the automatic spot at a canter considering their group comprised of 2 minnows in the form of Albania and Georgia, an out-of-sorts Ireland and perhaps, the surprise package of the group, Switzerland. Their defence is clearly not up-to-scratch either - if they're conceding goals at the rate they did in their group given the quality of their opponents, god knows how many they'll be shipping in Portugal(if they qualify! ). If anything, I see the mounting injury crisis in the Welsh camp as perhaps, the only silver lining in what's an otheriwse pretty dark cloud. :b

Wales, on the other hand, performed credibly in a group comprising of a world-class side in Italy, 2 fairly mediocre sides(which would be no worse than any of Russia's opponents IMO) in Serbia & Montenegro and Finland and minnows Azerbaijan. I certainly won't be as surprised as some of you're should Wales get a decent result in Moscow - Matt, I certainly can't see a 3-0 scoreline! In essence, I believe this playoff is a 50-50 chance for both sides.

Quite clearly, the inconsistency of the Russians does not make them remotely attractive at 1.44 to qualify - my money's on Wales here and should they get a score draw(or better) in Moscow, then I think I'd have every reason to believe they'd be on their way to Portugal next summer.

[swampster]

remember though, Wales ARE a minnow ! They've been playing well above themselves, and if the Russkies can beat the Swiss 4-1 and the Irish 4-2 at home, that's good enough for me..

Just going on recent form, the Russians seem to be revitalised after losing silly points against Albania and Georgia. The welsh did beat the Italians at home, but lets not forget they got cuffed 4-0 in Italy just a few weeks ago. Plus, the loss of Bellamy must be a massive blow to them, particular when they're trying to snatch an away goal or two. Just can't see anything other than a home win here guys:b :b :b

I cann't believe this. I have just got the Russians at 4/6 in my local bookies.

I cannot see the Russian let up at home and couple this with the injuries to the Welsh I see this as a home banker.

[edtkh]

I wouldn't class Wales as minnows really - lest you mean to tell me they were anywhere as bad as Albania, Georgia, San Marino, Faroe Islands, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg and the likes. :b

The quality of the players they have certainly does not class them in the league of the typical Minnows anyway(I don't believe San Marino or Albania have ever had a team with the quality of Giggs, Hartson, Jones, Speed, Savage, Delaney, Bellamy and Davies). They're probably more in the mould of the 'nearly-men' - Finland, S&M, Poland and the likes. Though it's probably fair to say they have done themselves incredibly proud this time by having performed at a level that has exceeded expectations by a long shot, I just am not convinced the Russians have what it takes to breeze through this one, not at odds of the 1.40's anyway...

To be fair, I don't see how the Swiss result was any testament to Russia's credentials for this upcoming match at all because if the Russians had played at that level throughout the whole qualifying round, there's little doubt they'd have won the group! It is precisely this inconsistency which is putting me off backing Russia at such short odds - prior to the qualification for Euro 2004 commencing, I honestly don't think you'd have seen much difference between Switzerland and Wales. :smokin

Nevertheless, for those who are keen enough, I believe Russia are available at something much closer to evens for a -1 handicap.

The only thing we need to fear in this match is match fixing.

Russia have being excellent at home all through the tournament. Their win over Ireland was well deserved.

edkth,Wales is without Mark Pembridge,Simon Davies,Bellamy,...

[DeepBlueDevilFish]

Russia for me to I think. They'll certainly win the 1st game - just a question of by how much. If Wales can score then I reckon they'll still have a chance of overturning say something like a 3 - 1 loss back in Cardiff. Robert Earnshaw will be replacing Bellamy and he's very capable of nicking a goal in any game. A 1 - 2 defeat or better from Wales and I think they've got very good chances of progressing.

Would love to see Wales get a result here but I just can't see it.

Personally I think they've blown their chances. They led their group by half a dozen points at one stage and must be the side under the most pressure.

To top that they're missing several of their squad and if that wasn't bad enough will have to endure arctic conditions. One report I listened to said the temperature can drop to -20.c which will surely help the Russians.

[PompeyPunt]

Wales chances are about as good as the ROTW's in the up and coming challenge

But seriously, with key players out, all i can see in this one is a Russia win, with the slightest possibility of the draw.

Wales must of knew when the draw came out that they were probably going to need to win by a couple of goals at home if they were gonna join England in Portugal :hat

[Matt]

team with the quality of Giggs, Hartson, Jones, Speed, Savage, Delaney, Bellamy

Jones, Delaney and Savage?

Wales are a poor side, like swampster said they have been playign well above themselves and they can now go back to the same level as Northern Ireland IMO.

How a defence of Speed, Page, Gabbidon and Delaney has even got this far is embarassing. Russia will destroy them, they will be taken to pieces.

[edtkh]

kojic, I'm aware of that(those 3 players missing) - I was mentioning them as part of the Welsh squad which has gotten this far(surely, those 3 have played a massive role in getting them here).

Well Matt, it's probably fair to say Wales have played out of their skins so far, but guess you could pretty much say the same for Russia, can't you? I'm not for a moment suggesting Wales have got the remotest chance of winning Euro 2004, but should your memory not fail you, I don't think you'll need to look too far back prior to Euro 2004 qualifiers to see that the Russians are not exactly the classy side you guys are making them out to be(face it, they had an easy group this time - try telling me their group was any tougher than Wales') what with 3-0 scorelines being touted all round. Quite simply, I don't see any value in Russia at all at a paltry 1.44(or thereabouts), but if you do and are convinced beyond the most reasonable of doubts, you could always get the Russians at much better prices on the handicaps. :p

Got to admit the weather and the injury crisis mounting on the Welsh camp are obvious advantages to the Russians, but let's not kid ourselves and believe the Russians are gonna walk this one - the bookies can't get this too wrong with this tie being priced as the most tightly-contested tie of the 5 Euro qualifier playoffs.

Cheers whatever your picks.

The Russians are well known bottlers ( ), but having said that, I do believe there will be many goals in this match and that the Russians will get most of them.

got to agree with edtkh, no matter the weather and the welsh injuries, the time that Russia was a class side is definately over...
They are far too inconsistent to bet on at the odds given, although it is right that their chances have gone up with the ruling conditions in the Welsh squad.
The russians indeed only advanced from the group-phase because of the weakness of the other teams, in my opinion Russia isn't no more then a moderate side in international football these days.

The thing I don't understand is that everybody talks about a sure russian victory, while nobody is mentioning the Croatia - Slovenia tie, where the outcome is much more obvious to me and against better odds. Because of the class difference between Croatia and Slovenia, I can't see anything but a homewin here...

[Matt]

But Im not having the welsh are minnows - and IMO Savage is a very underrated player.

I watched Savage for 3 years every week, he is a nuisance, his footballing ability is very limited, he does teh chasing and the other midfielders round him have to give the quality.

Wales havnt been to a major tournament since 1958, that makes them minnows in my book.

I dont hate the Welsh, Ive just got it in for them a bit since one of em turned me down for a shag earlier this summer. :o :o

face it, they had an easy group this time - try telling me their group was any tougher than Wales'

Russia - Rep.Ireland 4:2

Is Ireland weaker than Wales?

I cant believe this is what people believe and what short memories people have - was the Eire team in the Italian and American world cups any better than current welsh squad?

If anything Wales have far more of an attacking threat than Eire did at that time however I will admit that they are not defensively as solid.

I really hope Wales get through and I can see the welsh get a draw with the ruskies suspect temprements and to me they have always been underachievers when considering the quality of players they have had over time.

Wales beat Italy at home and lost away, beat Finland away and drew at home, beat the Azers twice and lost twice against S&M - the home game they had to chase the game.

Sh!t just checked on Russia's home record fcuk me thats impressive 4-2, 4-1, 4-1 and 3-1.

On second thoughts the home win looks most likely outcome.

But Im not having the welsh are minnows - and IMO Savage is a very underrated player.

Too long discusion about Russia-Wales,but the situation is clear here.There are two matches and Russia has to make advantage in Moscow.Wales is in downtrend period,has a lot of injury problems and home win looks like the only possible sign.Wales hasn't a defense who can stop the excelent Russian players Alexander Mostovoi-Dmitry Alenichev-Yegor Titov!